@Hingdog; your heroes are not protesters, they're rioters and thus far have physically assaulted union officials, physically assaulted and hospitalised police, harassed and intimidated the people of Melbourne, destroyed property and even defiled the West Gate Bridge and The Shrine.
For the record; I'm not supportive of the use of fire-arms by police against peaceful protesters!
But nor do I support allowing violent extreme right wing Neo Nazos, QAnon activists and Proud Boys to physically assault police and members of the public at their whim. They are NOT respecting what it means to be Australian and they do NOT deserve the freedoms provided by our society.
Police have every right to defend themselves and the responsibility to protect the public against weaponised rioters - by definition those criminals forfeit rights belonging to law-abiding, decent people. If violent rioters have to be shot to protect police and the public from harm, so be it!